Community-acquired pneumonia in children

Pneumonia is one of the major causes of hospitalization and mortality among younger children, particularly for Māori and Pacific children.

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) refers to pneumonia that is acquired in the community as compared to pneumonia acquired in/after a stay in hospital. 

Pneumonia is a bacterial or viral infection of the lungs.  It is usually caused by inhalation of micro-organisms from the upper respiratory tract.

Acknowledgements

This content was created by Dr Karen Falloon PhD, MBChB, FRNZCGP in 2017 and updated by Connie Kang BPharm(Hons) in 2022.